110-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal from May 1907

The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala., under the direction of editor and proprietor Q. Salter, published five editions 110 years ago during the month of May 1907. Those issues, which were dated May 2, May 9, May 16, May 23 and May 30, can be found on microfilm at the Monroe County Library in Monroeville, Ala. What follows are a few news highlights from those editions. Enjoy.

MAY 2, 1907

The regular convocation of Monroe Chapter No. 122, Royal Arch Mason, will be held on Tuesday evening, May 7. A full attendance of companions is requested.

NOTICE: The members of the Geo. Foster Camp are requested to meet at Monroeville on Tuesday, 14^th day of May, to elect delegates to the Nashville reunion to be held at Richmond, Va. and to pay dues for present year. T.J. EMMONS, President.

Hon. John McDuffie was over from his plantation a few days last week.

Mr. B.B. Hobdy of Pine Apple is reading law in the office of Messrs. McCorvey & Hare.

Beginning May 1^st the merchants of Monroeville, by mutual agreement, will close their places of business at 6:30 p.m., during the summer months.

Rev. N.B. Keahey of Marion Junction looked in on us for a few moments in passing through the city last week. Bro. Keahey was here in the behalf of the Selma Military School.

Dr. Chas. F. McKinley, who graduated recently from the Mobile Medical College, was in to see us Monday. Dr. McKinley has located at Wainwright, this county, for the practice of his profession.

Dr. J.P. Stallworth returned Monday from Atlanta where he has been attending medical lectures. Dr. Stallworth brings with him his “sheepskin,” having graduated with honors from the Atlanta medical college a few days ago.

MAY 9, 1907

Dr. G.H. Harper was up from Manistee Tuesday evening to attend the meeting of the Royal Arch Chapter.

Mr. S.H. Daily of Tunnel Springs attended the meeting of the Chapter the first of the week. His broken arm is rapidly healing.

The town election for Mayor and Councilmen took place Monday, resulting in the election of the following officers for the ensuing year: Mayor, Thos. S. Wiggins; Councilmen, G.B. Barnett, J.D. Rawls, L.A. Hixon, T.M. McMillan and D.K. Smith.

Mr. Samuel A. McDuffie, for the last seven years postmaster at Monroeville, died on Wednesday morning, May 8, aged about 60 years. Mr. McDuffie was a native of New Jersey but had resided in the south since soon after the Civil War, the last 20 years having been spent in Monroe County where he was engaged for a considerable time in educational work among the colored race until his appointment as postmaster. He was a quiet and peaceable citizen and enjoyed the unique distinction for a long time of being the only white Republican in the county. He was a brother of the late Judge J.V. McDuffie of Lowndes County.

New Pythia Lodge Organized: On Thursday afternoon a number of Knights went by private conveyance to Manistee for the purpose of instituting a lodge of Knights of Pythias at that place. The party was composed of the following from Monroeville: L.K. Benson, D.K. Smith, C.P. Smith, J.M. Burns, J.C. Hudson, Dr. W.T. Bayles and Senator Oscar O. Bayles of Monroeville; N.D. Andress, A.L. White and J.P. Farish of Beatrice. At sunset, Representative John McDuffie of River Ridge, dashed through Monroeville on his way to join the crowd and aid in the work and frolic.

Prof. L.K. Benson, acting under special commission from the Grand Chancellor, served as instituting officer. Fourteen applicants were present and upon these the ranks of the order were conferred in an impressive manner.

The lodge starts off with 17 members. The following officers were elected and installed: Z.C. Herlong, Chancellor Commander; G.H. Harper, Vice-Chancellor; W.R. Blackwell, Master at Arms; Archie Heyburn, Keeper of Records and Seal; V.J. Herlong, representative to the Grand Lodge.

The visiting Knights were delightfully entertained and are congratulating each other on the institution of this latest lodge of the order.

MEMORIAL SERVICES: There will be memorial services held at Indian Springs church on Saturday before the third Sunday in May. The following is the program: 11 o’clock memorial address by Rev. J.B. Tate. After the address, the groves will be decorated; 12:30, dinner at the church; 2 p.m., sermon by former pastor, Rev. A.P. Majors, benediction. All are cordially invited to attend with well filled baskets. – W.N. Huckabee, Pastor.

The first term of the County Court since the passage of the recent act conferring enlarged jurisdiction upon it, was held last Monday with 71 cases on the docket.

MAY 16, 1907

CAPT. H.M. GRAHAM DEAD: Well Known Former Citizen of Monroe Gathered Unto His Fathers: His many friends in Monroe County and throughout South Alabama learn with sincere regret of the death of Capt. Hector McKenzie Graham at his home in Bay St. Louis, Miss. on May 7^th. We take the following notice of the death of Capt. Graham from the Times-Democrat:

Hector McKenzie Graham, an old and highly respected citizen, died at his home on Easterbrook Street early yesterday morning (May 7), having been seriously sick only a few hours. The deceased was a native of Monroe County, Ala. and was 70 years of age. He had been a resident of Bay St. Louis for the past 18 years, during which period he was elected justice of the peace of Hancock County, which office he held for one term, at the expiration of which he was elected treasurer of Hancock County, which office he held at the time of his death. At the beginning of the war, Mr. Graham enlisted with a company of the 23^rd Alabama Regiment, and served with distinction, being promoted to captain. He was a prominent Mason, an officer of Bay St. Louis Lodge No. 429. He was a Confederate veteran, a member of Featherstone camp. He will be buried tomorrow in Cedar Rest Cemetery, under the direction of the Masonic Lodge.

PINEVILLE: And still the killing goes on. In a drinking carousal of young white men near Mr. Bob Lyon’s last week, a negro was shot, from the effects of which he died the next day.

Hon. J.N. Miller of Camden is here this week on business of a professional nature.

MAY 23, 1907

Messrs. J.H. Herlong and Archie Heyburn of Manistee attending a Masonic meeting here Thursday evening.

The commencement exercise of the Monroe Male and Female Institute were concluded on Thursday night last when the several medals contested for by pupils during the term were formally awarded.

The Scholarship medal was awarded to Miss Pauline Jackson; the medal for attendance was won by Miss Irene Rawls, and that for best Composition to Miss Carrie Bayles. These medals, together with those awarded in the Declamation and Elocution contests, were presented in appropriate speeches by Hon. J.N. Miller, John McDuffie, F.W. Hare, W.G. McCorvey and Prof. Benson.

The Board of Trustees and patrons of the school met on Thursday afternoon and re-elected Prof. Benson as principal and Miss Fannie Mabel Benson as assistant for the ensuring term.

Prof. Benson, Dr. Bayles and Messrs. C.L. Hybart, D.K. Smith and J.M. Burns attended a Pythian meeting at Beatrice last Friday.

Prof. L.K. Benston is attending the meeting of the Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias, in Mobile this week. He was accompanied by Mrs. Benson and little son, Larry, who will spend a few days in the Gulf City.

Mr. Joseph C. Hudson, agent and operator for the L&N at Monroe, left Tuesday for a 10 days vacation. He will visit St. Louis, Des Moines and other points of interest in the west.

MAY 30, 1907

The grand lodge of Knights of Pythias in Mobile last week took up the matter of building a temple for the annual meeting of the grand lodge. It will be located either at Montgomery or Birmingham.

Circuit Clerk J.M. Coxwell is at his desk again after a few days indisposition.

Hon. N.J. Stallworth is temporarily in charge of the local post office pending the filling of the vacancy by the department. Judge Stallworth, Messrs. J.I. Bizzelle and J.W. Urquhart and perhaps others have filed applications for the appointment.

Camden Progressive Era: While boring the well at the oil mill here Saturday, at a depth of 1,160 feet, a vein of oil was struck which for a while caused considerable excitement in town. A test of the fluid will be made in a few days by an oil expert. There seems to be no doubt about it being oil but whether it will result in being had in paying quantities is doubtful.

Mr. F.W. Hare attended commencement at Auburn this week.

Col. W.G. McCorvey and family left Sunday via steamer for Mobile, thence to Biloxi, Miss., where they will spend a few weeks.

Mr. C.H. Dees of Peterman left at The Journal office last week the largest native grown onion we have ever seen. It measured 15 inches in circumference and weighed more than three pounds.

Mr. W.P. Deer, proprietor of the Claiborne warehouse, was among Monroeville friends Saturday. Mr. Deer says a rate war is threatened on the Alabama River this summer as a result of the advent of the independent steamer, “American.”